A Peninsula Community Planning Board meeting on Nov. 16 was overflowing with residents protesting the proposed conversion of the City-owned H Barracks into an area for homelessness services.

At issue at the well-publicized meeting was the proposal to build a homeless shelter with wrap-around services on the H Barracks site accommodating up to 700 people on a referral-only basis.

The H Barracks five-acre site is on North Harbor Drive next to the end of the San Diego International Airport’s runway. It is near the pedestrian bridge going into Liberty Station on the south side of the channel and is separated from Liberty Station by an inlet of the North San Diego Bay.

The City contracts with various service providers to offer shelter options to people experiencing homelessness. At shelters, people are connected to support services and ultimately put on a path toward permanent housing.

Following lengthy public testimony, Peninsula planners on Nov. 16 debated the H Barracks homeless shelter proposal before unanimously endorsing a letter drafted by Peninsula Community Planning Board subcommittee members by a 12-0 vote. The letter calls on the City to seek an alternative site to H Barracks, contending the proposed site is inappropriate for homelessness services being too close to the airport, Liberty Station, and nearby public parks, local schools, and military housing.

“The Peninsula Community Planning Board has been approached by several neighbors who have expressed deep concerns regarding the recently enacted San Diego Comprehensive Shelter Strategy, specifically the proposal to establish a 700-bed homeless shelter at the H Barracks in Liberty Station’s east end,” states Peninsula Community Planning Board’s letter to Mayor Todd Gloria and District 2 Councilmember Dr. Jennifer Campbell. “Concerns have been raised over public safety and youth impact, and with limited SDPD resources in the area, this may lead to a higher need for service within Liberty Station and the surrounding communities.”

“The Peninsula Community Planning Board urges the City to explore alternative locations within the City to support the unhoused with services and a path to permanent housing,” continues the letter to the City. “We ask the City for a comprehensive dialogue involving all stakeholders, prioritizing safety, and seeking solutions that serve our community’s best interests. While we recognize the importance of supporting our homeless community, it is essential to balance this with ensuring the safety, dignity, and well-being of all San Diego residents. We request an immediate re-evaluation and insist on a dialogue that includes all affected parties. We oppose the proposed project until the concerns are addressed to the satisfaction of the Point Loma community.”

The mayor’s office issued a response following the Nov. 16 Peninsula Community Planning Board meeting. “Homelessness is a crisis, and we need to provide safe places for people to get out of street encampments and connected with services that will help them end their homelessness,” said Rachel Laing, the City’s director of communications. “We’ve created several facilities across our City with great success – and in partnership with the communities hosting them.

“As noted in our comprehensive shelter strategy, H Barracks is the most viable City-owned site for a facility with both shelter and onsite resources. We have about a year’s worth of site prep to do, and during that time we’ll be engaging extensively with the community on how we can work together to address our city’s biggest challenge,” Laing said.

The Peninsula Community Planning Board’s letter points out the proposed H Barracks homeless services site would be:

– Near nine schools and two playgrounds with soccer fields within one-half mile.

– Constrained by limited San Diego Police Department resources in the area which may lead to a higher crime rate.

– Insufficient in terms of providing nearby services, grocery stores, and public transportation to support a homeless facility.

– In too-close proximity to the airport without noise abatement which may exacerbate the health conditions of temporary residents there.

– Likely to have a negative impact on tourism and local businesses given Liberty Station is a prime travel destination that will be significantly altered with the additional crime, drugs, and other challenging circumstances that come with 700 homeless in the area.

– Prone to giving a negative impression for visitors encountering homelessness, as well as being potentially harmful to Liberty Station’s identity and local businesses.

– Hard pressed to comply with California Environmental Quality Act guidelines for lead, asbestos, and airplane noise.

According to the City’s recently adopted Comprehensive Shelter Strategy, H Barracks falls within the medium-term strategy due to its long-term plans to be converted into a Pure Water facility. The barracks site and its vacant buildings are currently being abated for lead and asbestos and will be demolished after the abatement concludes in December.

Demolition will follow after that and will likely take six months. The earliest a homelessness services center could be operating at H Barracks would be November or December 2024.

“Campbell’s office said they would work with us and stay engaged and that the process is beginning,” said Peninsula Community Planning Board chair Fred Kosmo adding, “They’re (District 2) going to have to respond to our letter. I will encourage them to get engaged with the community.”

Asked who will make the final decision on whether to go ahead with the H Barracks homelessness shelter, Kosmo replied: “It’s really going to be up to the City Council and the mayor.”